TEDxSanAntonio - Brian Brushwood - Social Engineering - How to Scam Your Way into Anything

I have been watching you since the beginning and I don't remember when I first heard you talk about the M&M's for free drinks reciprocation "scam", but it always stuck in the back of my mind. A couple of years ago I studied Chialdini as part of my Master's Degree and we talked about you, your Scam School episodes and the M&M's. I don't travel much, but I was on a flight earlier this year and it was my first opportunity to try it out. I handed over a Plain and a Peanut theater box to the flight attendants as I boarded the plane. They laughed and asked what I wanted. I deflected and feigned ignorance and innocence. They asked what my seat number was (they asked and had uniforms on, so they were 'in charge'). As the drink service came through each time, FREE DRINKS!!! Mission Accomplished! thanks for all the entertainment and education over the years. If you're ever in Seattle I'll buy you a beer.

This video is a prime example as to why SOUND RECORDING IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT.

When I was an undergrad I did a replication of the copier study. I found that the use of a reason was significant, but the attractiveness of the individual making the request was more significant!

my left ear sure enjoyed that

I learned long ago, that if you tip your bartender in the beginning of the night saying that you don't want to forget to tip you cuz I can get forgetful after a drink or two. The bartender actually bought me a drink or two. Works about %80 of the time.

This might be the best one, hidden gems with this one..

5:16 make the cop laugh, a few weeks ago i got stopped for speeding, i smiled at them said ''you got me, sorry for speeding i just got off work and really need to take a shit.'' They smiled at me and sent me on my way. P.S. I fucking love this guy

I have so much Love & Respect for this man ! Thanks TedTalk for allowing Brian Brushwood on your show ! ! !

As somebody who works in live events, the part about looking right is most certainly true. Go to any festival and you can get backstage with a high vis vest and by looking busy. Just walk quickly like you know what your doing because thats what us techies tend to do all of the time anyway, and security (and us techies) will probably not even question your existence.

Read about all these in "Influence - The Psychology of Persuasion" by Robert Cialdini, interesting stuff.

My old teacher said you could just say "Can I use the copier because the weather is nice today", and people would let you cut in line. Your reason didn't have to actually be related to the action you want to do. Never tried it tho.

Great stuff. Huge fan of Brian Brushwood and Scam School. The one thing I noticed when I first started watching the show is that it always left you with a smile. It's great to see the science that goes behind the show. Even if I don't plan on using any of these techniques in real life, it's important to recognize them to defend yourself when they're used on you.

I use the asking question thing in class whenever I argue with teachers and it leaves them speachless

This show wasn't shot right. We needed close ups of Brian; of his face and of him doing the match trick. The audio in some spots was bad too. The audio of the played video messes up what Brian on the stage is saying. The whole thing warrants a re-do.

anyone notice that the medical student badge was Martha from Dr who

my right ear feels left out

Why is it I only hear the left of my headphones?

"Do NOT make it look like a bribe!" Oh, you won't let me into first class? Will THIS change your mind? slides m&m bag across table

I only have a right ear. now what do i do?

Great talk! Funny, informative and very entertaining. Hope to see Brian doing TED again in the future